Felipe Massa's revolving door back into F1 begged the question if Williams was going to take back the Brazilian GP car they had given their driver as a retirement gift.

But Massa says that keeping the car is part of his new deal with the Grove-based outfit.

"It’s mine, it’s mine," said Massa.

"I saw the car in the factory two days ago, it’s got my name on the side.

“What happened in the last two races – especially in Brazil – I had an amazing feeling. It was the perfect stopping feeling.

"And then everything changed, and my heart was pushing me to carry on. I followed that."

Initially, Massa decided to call it a day as a result of reasonable thinking rather than weariness and fatigue. But upon his return, he is raring to go.

“It was a little surprise when Claire [Williams] called me to ask if I’d stop my retirement, but definitely I’m ready and motivated.

"For sure, I was not retiring from racing, and I was looking at a different category, but then everything changed – and I still feel not so old, and ready to come back again.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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